What’s bloomin’, Cola? Valentine’s Day is around the corner and for most of us we grew up associating Feb. 14 with flowers + chocolates. You’re not alone and today we are making it local.
Spring will be here before you know it so let’s all stop and smell the flowers this morning. Here are local blooms you can find in South Carolina.
Valentine’s offering from Fern - featuring local greenery and anemones | Photo provided
Anemone | These blooms are easy to identify and are a member of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. In the photo above, can you spot the red flower with the dark center and white ring?
Arrowwood Viburnum | These flowers are a flat-topped cluster of several small, white buds. The difference is that you have to pick these whimsical blooms quickly before the flowers turn into berries in the early fall.
Atamasco Lily | Better known as a rain lily. This one takes a little prep – if you plant a bulb this spring it will bloom next March or April. The long grass-like leaves will forma around the base and single flowers will bloom with long white petals.
Black Eyed Susan | This is one of the most popular wildflowers that grows in North America. It is a member of the Aster family + can grow to be over 3 ft. tall, with leaves of 6 inches, and grow flowers 3 inches in diameter.
Camellia | There are around 300 species of camellia. Some are great for a Valentine’s Day bouquet, and some are perfect for tea leaves + for cooking.
Carolina Aster | These purple blooms are late bloomers + can also be referred to as Climbing Aster since they tend to grow vertically and lean.
Columbine | These blooms come in a variety of colors + can be spotted nearly all year. Fun fact: these beautiful flowers are a hummingbird favorite.
Common Yarrow | Known scientifically as achillea millefolium, this flower is made of a cluster of small blooming white buds. Together the buds form a flat dome-like shape that sits atop a long thin stem.
Coral Honeysuckle | Also known as a Trumpet Honeysuckle, this flower will be the star of any bouquet. With its bold colors + trumpet like shape, this twining vine can grow to be anywhere from 3 to 20 ft. long.
Crested Iris | These short-stemmed flowers feature vibrant colors, including lavender and gold petals. These plants also display beautiful organic movement due to the droppiness of the petals.
Dogwood | Just like Darius Rucker says “Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers,” dogwoods are easy to distinguish by their white, red, and pink blossoms + are plentiful in South Carolina.
Ferns | You may know that ferns are common in South Carolina, but did you know that you could find nine local types of ferns in your own backyard? Each of these indiginous species have a similar look – a series of small green leafs branching from a center stem – with slightly varying leaf patterns.
Magnolia | Southern Magnolias produce fragrant white flowers in the summer, so stay on the lookout for those and their leaves are a notable dark green with a tan underside. There are three types of magnolia indigenous to South Carolina – southern, star and sweetbay.
Noisette Roses | Noisettes originated in Charleston, dating back to the first decade of the 19th-century. They are tall shrubs or vigorous climbing roses with elegant, slender foliage. The blooms showcase pastel colors including yellow hues.
Oakleaf Hydrangea | These large shrubs can be spotted all around town. The pillowy cone shape these flowers display is due to the clustering of hundreds of small flowers. Depending on the time you pick them, you could have white, red, or orange flowers.
Wild Indigo | Pay homage to South Carolina’s history with the indigo sprigs. It’s no surprise why these flowers were once used to dye clothing with their rich violet hue.
Yellow Jessamine | We can’t talk about South Carolina flowers and not mention the state flower. The yellow jessamine features trumpet shaped, yellow blooms, which you can begin to spot in early spring.
Wanting more local blooms? Check out this list of South Carolina’s native plants.
Not sure where to pick up a bouquet locally? Here are a few suggestions.
American Floral, 7565 St. Andrews Rd.
Blossom Shop Columbia, 2001 Devine St.
De Loach Florist, 2927 Millwood Ave.
Fern Studio, 2855 Devine St.
Florist on Main, 1546 Main St., Suite C
Forest Acres Florals, 2305 Beltline Blvd., Suite B.
Pineview Florist, 3030 Leaphart Rd., West Columbia
The Flower Station, 5216 Two Notch Rd.
Three Oaks Florist, 142 State St., West Columbia
Woodley’s Garden Center, Two Notch + Irmo
Poll
